Grenfell fire chief may be charged over ‘stay’ policy

LONDON’S fire chief and other senior officers could face charges over the “stay put” policy that told residents to remain inside the burning Grenfell Tower, it has emerged.

Dany Cotton, the Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade who was at the scene on the night of the disaster, could be prosecuted for health and safety breaches that allegedly contributed to the deaths of 72 people, including an unborn baby.

Residents in the 23-storey tower were told to remain in the burning building in line with the brigade’s “stay put” policy, which relies on the blaze being contained. But the public inquiry into the tragedy has heard that senior officers did not order an evacua- tion until 2.47am, more than 80 minutes after the policy had “substantially failed”.

Scotland Yard will soon begin to arrest and question suspects over last June’s fire and confirmed the “stay put” policy would form part of its inquiries.

It raises the prospect of Ms Cotton and senior colleagues facing charges under the section of the Health and Safety Act that requires people to conduct their employment in a way that does not expose others to risk.

Those convicted usually face fines, but in extreme cases prison sentences can be applied. Ms Cotton had been in post for six months when the fire occurred and has spoken of having counselling for

the trauma she has suffered. After being contacted at home in Kent and told about the unfolding events at Grenfell, she drove to the scene, arriving 18 minutes before the order to evacuate the block was given.

Police investigating the disaster have identified more than 500 companies and organisations of interest. Among them are firms that manufactured, supplied and fitted the cladding blamed for causing the fire to spread so fast. Other companies involved with the refurbishment of the tower are also likely to face questioning and potential charges.

Speaking ahead of next week’s anniversary of the fire, Commander Stuart Cundy, of the Metropolitan Police, said a large number of charges were under consideration, including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety breaches.

Det Supt Matt Bonner, who is leading the criminal investigation, said the brigade would, like any other organisation involved, have an obligation to conduct activity in a manner that does not place people at risk.

Prosecutions involving firefighters carrying out their jobs are rare, but in 2012 two officers in Warwicks went on trial for manslaughter over the deaths of four colleagues, killed when a burning warehouse collapsed. The officers were acquitted amid widespread criticism over the decision to prosecute.

At the Grenfell inquiry, both the brigade and brigade union defended the “stay put” policy, suggesting there had been “no obvious and safe alternative”.

Stephen Walsh QC, for the brigade, said a mass evacuation could not have happened at a stroke. Martin Seaward, representing the union, said a botched refurbishment had turned the tower into a “highly combustible death trap”.

Nine people have been arrested for fraud in connection with the fire. Eight men and a woman were arrested in dawn raids yesterday, some living in hotels. The value of the alleged frauds ranges from £25,000 to £100,000.